On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unveiled its manifesto, titled ‘Modi’s Guarantee,’ ahead of the upcoming general elections set to commence on April 19th and run through June 1st. With votes scheduled to be counted on June 4th, the BJP aims to secure a third consecutive term by addressing key voter concerns, primarily focusing on job creation, infrastructure development, and welfare programs.

Prime Minister Modi, widely expected to secure another term, highlighted the party’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and ensuring dignity for all citizens. Central to the manifesto is a pledge to generate employment opportunities across various sectors, including infrastructure, aviation, railways, electric vehicles, green energy, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Despite India’s robust economic growth, concerns over rising unemployment rates persist, particularly among the youth demographic.

In addition to job creation, the BJP promises to expand welfare programs, such as extending free health insurance coverage to all Indians above the age of 70 and facilitating piped cooking gas connections to households. Other initiatives outlined in the manifesto include increasing lending caps for non-farming small and micro borrowers, providing free housing for an additional 30 million impoverished individuals, and sustaining the free grains program benefiting 800 million Indians until 2029.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining low inflation and fiscal prudence to foster sustained economic growth. He urged voters to support the BJP’s vision for a developed India, emphasizing that the manifesto reflects the aspirations of the country’s 1.4 billion people.

According to surveys conducted by Lokniti-CSDS across 19 states, unemployment emerged as the primary concern for 27% of respondents, followed by rising prices at 23%. Despite India’s economic progress, the unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in 2022/23, compared to 4.9% in 2013/14 before Modi assumed office. Notably, urban youth aged 15-29 faced an unemployment rate of nearly 16% in 2022/23, attributed to skill shortages and a lack of quality job opportunities.

As the election draws nearer, the BJP’s manifesto signals its commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges and winning the trust of Indian voters by delivering on promises of job creation, welfare expansion, and sustained economic growth.

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